Subaru features STELLA electric car at G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit

With just about every other automaker on the planet champing at the bit to showcase its newest electric prototypes, Subaru's doing its best to hang on to the briskly moving bandwagon. Said company has just recently announced that its plug-in STELLA concept will be showcased at the upcoming G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, and four of the five on hand will actually be used to "transport government officials and other participants" while the other offers itself up for test drives. The four-seat vehicle in question utilizes the same EV (electric vehicle) system employed in the R1e, suggesting that it can cruise around 80-kilometers (50 miles) on a full charge and hit a top speed of 100km/h (or just over 62mph).

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: alternative fuel, AlternativeFuel, car, concept, eco-friendly, electric car, ElectricCar, Fuji, green, prototype, STELLA, Subaru, vehicle ]

Chrysler UConnect In-Car Wi-Fi Detailed [Automotive]

Chrysler hasn't exactly hidden their intentions on bringing Wi-Fi to their automobiles, but today they've come forth with all the fun details. If you're interested in the UConnect service, the wireless broadband router will cost $449 plus another $50 for installation. Then, if you'd actually like to browse the web on the device, that'll be another $29 per month. While it certainly seems like the next logical step in shutting up your children in the backseat, who out there is willing to shell out another big pile of money on internet access just for the car? Until we have at least five more (legitimate) children, we'll be sticking to our overpriced handset plan that goes with us everywhere, thanks. [freep via Jalopnik]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

BuzzBall Brings the Rollercoaster Experience to Your Backyard [Buzzball]

Can't quite make it to a Six Flags this weekend? Sign up for a BuzzBall then, and bring the motion-induced vomiting to you! Cooked up by some crazy New Zealanders from Evento as a cure for 'coaster aficionados without access to the rails, the BuzzBall features a pair of electric motors, each of which controls a separate throttle. The two throttles cause the chair inside to spin, or they can work in tandem to move the ball around a flat space (or a hill, Mr. Extreme Sports, whatever you want). Once the ball gets moving, however, watch out, because that's when the real vomiting fun begins. When the BuzzBall moves about and the operator starts to turn, the seat begins to rotate against the direction of travel. If you haven't figured it out already, that means you get a series of spins and barrel rolls—while you're moving. How one stops this thing we haven't a clue, but it probably involves passing out.

No pricing is available just yet, but the BuzzBall folks are surveying site visitors with some options. [Evento via OhGizmo!]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Cardboard Bicycle Costs Just $30, Don't Leave It Out in the Rain [Phil Bridge]

A 21-year-old student from the UK has designed a cardboard bicycle that he has dubbed "the ultimate green machine." Supporting anyone up to 168 pounds, the frame, which costs around $6 to make, is made from the cardboard used in industrial packaging, whilst the wheels and chain are standard bike issue, and will cost around $24. Phil Bridge, who is studying Industrial Design, came up with the idea as he was researching reasons why people don't use pedal power to get around town. "A typical round town bike can cost several hundred pounds," says Mr Bridge. "That's a large investment for people who aren't sure whether they will use it. The idea of cardboard is to completely devalue the bike". The bike is still at prototype stage, and Mr Bridge says he still needs to finalize the design. "The prototype does work but it is still quite limited and there are a few problems," he says. Rain, however, is not one of them, he claims.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

ZAP Alias electric car makes its video debut

ZAP didn't have much more than some shiny renders to show for itself when it snapped up the hundred-year-old Detroit Electric brand earlier this year, but it looks like the company has now finally turned out an equally shiny prototype, which recently made its debut on the local news in Ohio. Unfortunately, the car apparently isn't capable of moving off the parking lot on its own just yet, with it reportedly now on its way to California where it'll get outfitted with a motor. While the current pace of things may seem a bit slow, the company is apparently still promising to have its first cars on the road as early as next year, when the Alias here is expected to sell for about $33,000. Hit up the read link below for the video.

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: alias, detroit electric, DetroitElectric, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, zap, zap alias, ZapAlias ]

Modded electric motorcycle is street-legal, costs under $2K

We've seen more silly homemade electric vehicles than we care to remember, but Ben Nelson's electric motorcycle manages to retain some of its original two-wheel charm while using only a penny of juice per mile -- roughly the equivalent of 300mpg. Nelson bought the bike for $100 and swapped out the original engine for a Briggs and Stratton 8HP DC motor he picked up on eBay for $500, using four $160 Optima Yellowtop lead-acid batteries for power. Nelson says he can get the rig up to a top speed of 45MPH, and he's got a range of about 20 miles before he needs to plug in -- enough to run errands around town. Best of all, the state of Wisconsin willingly registered his bike as a "hobbyist" vehicle, which means he's free to (silently) roam the streets at will. Ben first built the bike about a year ago, so he's accumulated a ton of useful info if you're interested in following in his tire tracks -- hit up the read link to learn more, and check the video after the break.
Read - Nelson's build blog

[Via: ecomodder ]
[Tag: car, electric car, electric motorcycle, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricMotorcycle, ElectricVehicle, motorcycle ]

Chrysler confirms in-car Wi-Fi coming next year

Chrysler had vaguely said that it would be bringing in-car WiFi to its 2009 lineup, and but some more details have been released today: the system will be part of the next-gen UConnect system, feature a 3G-to-WiFi router hidden within the car and require a monthly subscription fee to use the service. Chrysler says the system will run at 600-800kbps down and 200kbps up, and should work with game consoles in vehicles with rear-seat monitors. It's still not clear whether Chrysler will run the service as its own MVNO or use another provider directly, but pricing is expected to be similar to WLAN PC cards, and there shouldn't be any long-term contracts involved. Alright, BMW, your move.
[Via TG Daily]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: car wifi, cars, CarWifi, chrysler, mnvo, wifi ]

Mercedes-Benz aiming to ditch petroleum by 2015?

While Audi is over there planning to produce an electric car within the next decade, Mercedes-Benz is hoping to be completely petro free within seven years. At least that's the word according to a recent report in The Sun. Dr. Herbert Kohler, who is responsible for Mercedes' advanced engineering, has reportedly suggested that "by 2015 motorists will have switched almost completely to alternative fuel cars." In order to make sure it's not left out, the automaker already has an electric car in the works for 2010 as well as plans to use its DiesOtto engine which will give motorists the ability to use biofuels should they choose. Still, aiming to phase petroleum completely out of its lineup by 2015 sounds overly ambitious from here, but we certainly won't complain if it achieves said goal.

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: alternative fuel,AlternativeFuel,automaker,biodiesel,biofuel,car,DiesOtto,eco-friendly,electric car,ElectricCar,fuel,green,m-b,mb,mercedes,mercedes benz,mercedes-benz,MercedesBenz,vehicle ]

Topia shows off 330-pound HUVO electric car

Compared to the other single-seat electric vehicle that we had the misfortune of laying eyes on recently, Topia's HUVO looks just magnificent. This clearly minuscule road warrior, which officially tips the scales at 150-kilograms (or just over 330-pounds), holds one lucky motorist and a small briefcase (if you're lucky). Reportedly, the frame is constructed from high-tensile steel plate, the doors and the back panel from aluminum alloy, the roof from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the windshield from polycarbonate and the interior / wheels covers from ABS resin. Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to crash test ratings, but we suppose we should wait and see if this thing even sniffs the commercial market before worrying over that.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: alternative fuel, AlternativeFuel, eco-friendly, electric, electric car, ElectricCar, HUVO, japan, prototype, Topia ]

Dyson actually not looking to build electric car, just a wicked fast vacuum

Look folks, just because Dyson can build a motor with enough oomph to power a vehicle, that doesn't mean it's actually going to. At least that's the message a company spokesperson wants you to believe. Contrary to earlier reports, James Dyson is not looking to enter the electric automobile sector in any way, shape or fashion. Said spokesperson was quoted as saying that "James Dyson did say that [Dyson's] new digital motor could power a car, but it is not working on, and [we] have no plans to create an electric car." Okay, but can you at least make the Ball 2.0 street legal?

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: alternative energy, AlternativeEnergy, dyson, dyson car, DysonCar, electric car, ElectricCar, g-wiz, green, invention, rumor, uk ]

Progressive MyRate drive-monitoring device goes national

Progressive insurance has been testing out the MyRate driving monitoring system for a few years now (it used to be called TripSense), but it's finally taking the system national, bringing pay-as-you-drive insurance into the mainstream. The little blue box plugs into your car's ODB II diagnostic port (all cars made after 1996 have one), and studiously records your driving habits, wirelessly sending the data back to Progressive HQ (it's not clear exactly how). Every six months, Progressive will crunch the numbers and issue a new rate for you based on how you drive -- savings of up to 40 percent are possible. That's pretty tempting, depending on your current rates and driving habits, but we're not so sure we're willing to share that much data for an unspecified discount -- especially since we're confident the MyRate box will get cracked almost immediately.
[Thanks, Mike; image courtesy of Aaron Landry]
Read - MyRate press release
Read - MyRate video
Read - How MyRate works

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: insurance,myrate,pay as you drive,PayAsYouDrive,payd,progressive,progressive insurance,ProgressiveInsurance ]

Dealzmodo: Free Sirius Radio With Purchase of Lamborghini [Deals]

For most of us, the deciding factor against getting satellite radio are those pesky subscription costs. Now Sirius has just signed a deal with Automobili Lamborghini to offer the car customers free lifetime service of Sirius. One word of caution: The deal starts with the 2009 MurciГ©lago. So make sure you don't buy a 2008 Lamborghini only to find yourself jacked with huge, unexpected fees. [Edmunds] Thanks Frank!

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Antro Solo gas-electric hybrid promises 150 mpg

While there's no word on any plans to enter it into the Automotive X-Prize, it looks like the Antro Solo gas-electric hybrid here would at least be able to hold its own against the competition, with it promising to hit upwards of 150 miles per gallon on the highway. That takes a slight dip to a still impressive 117 mpg in city driving though, while the car's top speed clocks in at a decent 87 miles per hour. To hit those numbers, the company took a couple of extra steps beyond the usual gas-electric hybrids, including putting some solar cells on the car's roof to help charge the battery, and some pedals on the inside to keep it juiced up when the sun goes down. The fact that the entire car weighs less than 600 pounds doesn't hurt either. As you might have guessed, however, the car is still a ways away from rolling off the production line, but the company says it expects to get it out the door by 2012, when you'll supposedly be able to pick one up for $18,000.

[Via: Inhabitat ]
[Tag: antro,antro solo,AntroSolo,gas-electric hybrid,Gas-electricHybrid ]

Electric Mercedes-Benz coming in 2010

Unlike Audi and friends, Mercedes has actually had its eye on non-gasoline burning vehicles for some while. According to a recent interview, Daimler's chief executive was quoted as saying that an "electric Smart [was planned] for 2010," and he continued by asserting that an electric Mercedes model would be arriving "the same year." Sadly, he didn't budge when pushed for pricing details, but he did note that cost would depend greatly "on whether it sells the batteries or leases them." Heck, there was even a mention of a fuel cell car in 2010, but we'd prefer to keep our hopes and expectations well beneath the stratosphere.

[Via: BenzInsider ]
[Tag: 2010, alternative fuel, AlternativeFuel, benz, Daimler, eco-friendly, electric car, ElectricCar, green, m-b, mb, mercedes, mercedes benz, mercedes-benz, MercedesBenz, Smart, Smart car, SmartCar ]

Montreal's Public Bike System uses RFID, solar power, and tons of social trust

There are all sorts of ways to deal with rising gas prices and public transportation needs, and Montreal is getting in the game with what they're calling the Public Bike System. Utilizing a central inventory and check-out website, solar-powered docking stations, and high-tech RFID-tagged aluminum bikes, the system is a gadget-maxed project that could be amazing or turn into a complete theft disaster. Each station holds six bikes and six docks, and users can find the nearest available bike on a website and then return the bike to any other dock. Payments can be made via credit, debit, or "member" card. Quick question, though -- what if a popular destination has no available docks for a drop-off?

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: bikes, montreal, public bike system, PublicBikeSystem, rfid, solar, solar power, SolarPower ]

Enclosed electric motorcycle is green and ghastly

Yeah, green in more ways than one. That abomination you see pictured above is unsurprisingly kind to Mother Earth, but we'd venture to say that most Americans wouldn't be caught dead driving it... until gasoline hits $10 or so per gallon, that is. Designed by pioneering students at Saint Thomas Academy with the help of a $10,000 InvenTeams grant from the Lemelson-MIT program (among other donations), this enclosed motorcycle hums along courtesy of a battery-driven Briggs and Stratton ETEK electric motor. Currently, the bike can scoot about for 40 miles and reach 60 miles-per-hour, and there's even a GPS unit thrown in to keep you headed in the right direction. Heaven only knows if this thing will see production, but given the way things are trending, we'd place our bets on yes.

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: eco-friendly,electric car,ElectricCar,green,Kneeslider,motorcycle ]

Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid priced at $40,000

Chevy's Bob Lutz crushed some dreams this morning when he announced that the Volt hybrid electric vehicle will run closer to $40,000 as opposed to the $30,000 he originally implied. To make us feel a little better about that extra $10k, he offered the fact that Chevrolet would be losing money on the first-generation Volt and Congress may offer up at $7,000 tax credit for plug-in hybrids anyway. So, in other words, we should be happy that it's as cheap as $40,000, right? As for the car's release date, 2010 is still looking solid.

[Via: Autoblog ]
[Tag: bob lutz,BobLutz,chevrolet,chevy,chevy volt,chevy-volt,ChevyVolt ]

Honda FCX Clarity set to enter limited production and sale

If you're in the market for a fuel efficient car, but you've been holding out for something a little more advanced than the Prius -- your dreams may have just been answered. Honda announced today that it would begin producing limited quantities of its FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles for sale in the US and Japan over the next few years. According to the automaker, it plans to offer around 200 of the zero-emission cars in the next three years, with a few dozen models expected on the road this year leased at around $600 a month. Said John Mendel, a senior vice president at Honda, "It's an especially significant day for American Honda as we plant firm footsteps toward the mainstreaming of fuel cell cars." Now all they have to do is get more than 3 fueling stations out there and we'll be all set.


[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: fcx,fcx clarity,FcxClarity,fuel cell,FuelCell,honda,hybrid,hydrogen,hydrogen fuel cell,HydrogenFuelCell ]

Segway sales hit all time high, thanks OPEC!

We get that rising gas prices are putting folks in a world of hurt, but has it really gotten so bad that we're resorting to losing our dignity riding Segways? According to a recent writeup in The Wall Street Journal, "sales at Segway Inc. have risen to an all-time high," and CEO Jim Norrod fully expects sales this quarter to "jump 50% from a year earlier." Not surprisingly, many of its new customers are universities and public service divisions who are replacing traditional vehicles with the all-electric scooters, but we still get the impression that individuals are steering clear due to its remarkably high price and laughable design. At least, that's what we'll continue to tell ourselves.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: fuel,fuel prices,FuelPrices,gasoline,green,sales,segway,transporter ]

German University Students Design Air Thrust Hovercraft

In a move that will cheer up lovers of vehicles that can travel on both water and (very flat) land, students at a German engineering university have built a one-person hovercraft that uses an air thrust system to move and steer. Folks over at the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences use a pneumatic propeller that pushes air through two channels. Each of the channels has a pair of flaps that behave like the thrust-reversing system of a turbo-drive to help a user easily maneuver left or right, go in reverse, and brake. The way the project is set up hints that the students are looking to mass produce their hovercraft, though I'm not really sure how strong the market is for personal amphibious vehicles. Judging by the video on the site though, maybe they're planning on turning a parking lot into a hovercraft bumper car lot? Oh my god, I think I just stumbled upon the best idea ever. [Festo via Gizmo Watch]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Pure Electric Vehicles building a $10k electric car... hopefully

Look, this looks great and all, and the $10k price makes it even harder to complain, but if we had a gallon of gasoline for every one of these random electric vehicle projects we've seen crop up and fade away into oblivion, we'd have, um, some gas. The story here is a guy named Bill Provence in Pasadena, tired of those regular cars with their multitude of wheels and gas burning, decided build his own three-wheeled electric car with some pals out in Michigan. Instead of keeping it all to himself, he's planning on offering it up for sale under the banner of Pure Electric Vehicles for a cool ten grand. The car runs on sealed AGM lead acid batteries (a good thing, apparently), and has a top speed of 65mph. A production version will apparently include a radio, iPod plug and a heater, though seeing as the concept version doesn't even have windows, Bill certainly has a long way to go.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: electric vehicle,ElectricVehicle,ev,lead acid battery,LeadAcidBattery,pure electric vehicles,PureElectricVehicles ]

Sumitomo debuts superconductor powered electric car

Okay, the science nerds in the audience didn't exactly let us know that we've entered the age of commercial superconductors, but apparently Sumitomo Electric has built a Toyota Crown Comfort that's powered by a superconducting engine. Cooled by liquid nitrogen to -200° C, apparently all this madness nets you an extra 10% gain in distance over regular battery-powered motors. In other words: totally, completely worth the near comical impracticality.

[Via: Uber Review ]
[Tag: electric vehicle,ElectricVehicle,ev,japan,sumitomo,superconductor ]

Is Apple's iCar in a German auto magazine? Probably not.

Sure, we've heard rumors about a possible iCar before, but it's not every day that a German auto magazine (Autobild, in this case) throws some wacky VW concept with an iPod touch floating above it on its cover. We know that the two companies have colloborated in the past, with old Jobsy and Volkswagen head Martin Winterkorn supposedly sipping brandy and regaling each other with tales of their salad days, but up until now the closest we've seen to an actual product was that Space Up! blue concept interior from back in November of last year. Will you finally have the perfect set of wheels to dock your iPhone on the go? Doubtful... but feel free to dream.

[Via: Autoblog ]
[Tag: apple,autobild,icar,volkswagen,vw ]

Original K.I.T.T. up for auction: impressive exterior, laughable interior

Enough of these kit (ahem) cars, we're ready for the real deal. Up on the auction block today is a genuine 1984 Pontiac Trans Am that was used in the third and fourth seasons of Knight Rider. Yep, this is the one with the coveted Super Pursuit Mode, and legend has it that cops won't even ticket you for using it. At first glance, one can't help but be impressed with how spectacular this bona fide piece of history looks, but one glance at the interior and you realize there's quite a bit of work left to do. Personally, we could think of a limitless number of better ways to spend 26 large, but hardcore Hasselhoff fans will likely insist on differing.

[Via: Autoblog ]
[Tag: auction,ebay,k.i.t.t.,kitt,knight rider,KnightRider,trans am,TransAm,turbo,vehicle ]

US Department of Energy pours $30 million into plug-in hybrids

While some automakers are already promising to have plug-in hybrids on the road by 2010, the US Department of Energy is now pouring some cash into a slightly less ambitious joint effort with Ford, General Motors, and General Electric, which would see plug-ins capable of driving 40 miles on a single charge roll out by 2014. Under the new effort, General Motors will be tasked with improving lithium-Ion battery packs and charging systems, and integrating them into its own research with a test fleet by 2011, while Ford will be aiming to speed up the mass-production of plug-in hybrids, as well as improve its batteries and build prototype vehicles. Rounding things out, General Electric will be partnering with Chrysler to develop a dual-battery system, which promises to let vehicles travel 40 miles on a charge. All of that is still subject to appropriations by Congress, however, and the aforementioned companies would obviously be pouring in a good chunk of change themselves, as a mere $30 million isn't exactly quite enough to shake up the auto sector these days.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: department of energy,DepartmentOfEnergy,ford,general electric,general motors,GeneralElectric,GeneralMotors,plug-in hybrid,Plug-inHybrid ]

Genepax shows off water-powered fuel cell vehicle

We've seen plenty of promises about water-powered cars (among other things), but it looks like Japan's Genepax has now made some real progress on that front, with it recently taking the wraps off its Water Energy System fuel cell prototype. The key to that system, it seems, is its membrane electrode assembly (or MEA), which contains a material that's capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction. Not surprisingly, the company isn't getting much more specific than that, with it only saying that it's adopted a "well-known process to produce hydrogen from water to the MEA." Currently, that system costs on the order of ?2,000,000 (or about $18,700 -- not including the car), but company says that if it can get it into mass production that could be cut to ?500,000 or less (or just under $5,000). Head on past the break for a video of car in action courtesy of Reuters.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: fuel cell,FuelCell,genepax,water-fueled,water-powered car,Water-poweredCar ]

Medtronic Diabetes concept car monitors glucose levels in-dash

Operating a vehicle during a diabetic blood sugar crash can be a dangerous proposition for both driver and others on the road. That's why Medtronic Diabetes developed the M-POWERED concept car that allows a person to constantly monitor glucose levels via both audio and visual cues. The Lincoln sedan was unveiled at this year's American Diabetes Association annual meeting in San Francisco. No word on what happens during a glucose drop, but we imagine some sort of alarm and then, perhaps, shutdown occurs.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: diabetes,m-powered concept car,M-poweredConceptCar,medtronic,medtronic diabetes,MedtronicDiabetes ]

Rocket Car Mod is Like Steampunked Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Forget boring hydrogen-hybrid supercars and the like: a one-off vehicle mod like this recently-spotted Rocket Car is how to really impress passers-by. Built by Baron Margo, its shiny bullet-shape is all pipes, rocket exhaust (with what look like real jet engine parts), dials and a whirling propeller that apparently spins as you drive, keeping time with a ring of flashing lights. Basically it's like the car that Chitty Chitty would dream of being when it grows up, and I can almost forgive its steampunk-esque nature as it's just so astonishing. [LAMetblogs]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Bob Lutz test drives a Volt mule, deems the experience "electrifying"

We already knew that Chevrolet was testing out a fair bit of Volt hardware in modified Malibus, but the time finally arrived for bigwig Bob Lutz to take a test drive in one such vehicle. As General Motors forges ahead with plans to produce the vehicle and have it on the roads by 2010, Lutz was able to get behind the wheel of an "engineering development vehicle" with the 16-kwh Li-ion battery pack system; after cruising about with nary a drop of gasoline to thank, he semi-intentionally coined the experience "electrifying." It seems the version he drove wasn't exactly refined, thus he refrained from commenting (read: blasting) too much about the ins and outs of how it performed. Still, even 'ole Bob missed the "throaty roar of a [traditional] engine." We'll raise our glasses to that.

[Via: Wired ]
[Tag: 2010,bob lutz,BobLutz,chevrolet,Chevy,eletric car,EletricCar,general motors,GeneralMotors,GM,Volt ]

One Kid's Journey On a Weed-Whacker Broom Skate Thing

We couldn't find any clue what the hell this kid is doing, so come up with your own conclusions (and caption). Looks like his dad rigged up a weed whacker to some sort of...something, and he's going tearing down the streets of London living out his wildest Harry Potter adventures. The one without Hermione, that is. [One Man's Blog - Thanks Roger!]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Audi Q5 to boast NVIDIA-powered interface, gadgets aplenty

Audi is certainly no stranger to cramming some less-than-common technology into its vehicles, and it looks like its new Q5 compact crossover vehicle is no exception, with it set to roll out of the factory later this year with some NVIDIA-powered graphics. That comes in the form of the vehicle's Harman/Becker-designed MMI (Multi-Media Interface) "3G infotainment system," which relies on an unspecified NVIDIA graphics processor to provide smooth map transitions, along with photorealistic depictions of points of interest and other eye candy. As if that wasn't enough, the vehicle's in-dash system will also boast support for external USB storage media, built-in Bluetooth, satellite radio, and even a SIM card slot that'll effectively turn it into a quad-band GSM cellphone.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: audi,audi q5,AudiQ5,nvidia,q5 ]

Samsonite offering automotive-inspired luggage

Many high-end automobiles come equipped with custom-fitted luggage that takes advantage of every available inch in these space-deprived interiors. Pretty cool stuff, that. What are you to do if your ride wasn't sweet enough to come with its own travel gear? Consider the new Spinner line from Samsonite, which is fitted with four wheels -- one at each corner, like a car. Not only is the new luggage highly maneuverable, but it's been designed using high-tech components inspired by automotive design. For instance, some of the gear is made from a composite material known as CURV, which is said to be both lightweight and strong, while other bits feature a diamond plate finish in what must be a nod to the pickem-up crowd. Probably the coolest feature, though, is a built-in parking brake of sorts that is included in case you need to stop on a less-than-level surface.

[Via: Winding Road ]
[Tag: automotive luggage,automotive-luggage,AutomotiveLuggage,car luggage,car-luggage,CarLuggage,samsonite,samsonite spinners,samsonite-spinners,SamsoniteSpinners ]

The firebreathing wheelchair is the best worst idea on four wheels this year

Now that our wheelchair-ridin' pals can rock the virtual drums, the natural next step is fire breathing electric conveyances. Built by Lance Greathouse out of golf cart parts, a Marine rescue helicopter seat and, of course, a flame thrower, the "wheelchair" can zip along at 22 miles per hour, burninating whatever might cross its path. Lance says it best: "It was made for the disabled person looking for something a little different, why drive something that looks like a medical device when you can drive something lethal?" Exactly.

[Via: AutoblogGreen ]
[Tag: fire breathing,FireBreathing,flame thrower,FlameThrower,wheelchair ]

VIDEO: WebridesTV pits the BMW M3 against the Dinan 335i

This is a head-to-head battle we've been waiting to see: BMW's new M3 versus a Dinan-tuned 335i coupe. But we're only going to talk numbers and let the video tell the tale.
The BMW 335i has proven itself as a credible player in the sports coupe segment, particularly with a tweaked ECU to extract maximum output from its twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter inline-six. Dinan announced its Stage 3 package a few months back, which includes a fully-adjustable suspension and a handful of engine mods that bring output up to 406 hp and a kidney-punishing 460 lb.-ft. of torque (at 4,300 RPM). But it doesn't come cheap. All the necessary Dinan kit to get it up to Stage 3 spec (and get that nifty badge on the boot) costs around $14,000. But compared to the $71,000 $56,500 (no mark-up, no oxygen) base price of the new M3, it's still a steal. While the M3 has the peak horsepower advantage, you can't ignore the allure of the Dinan 335i's torque and lower curb weight. Will it be enough to match the M3? Hit the jump to find out.

[Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket) ]
[Tag: bmw,bmw 335i,bmw m3,bmw m3 335i,Bmw335i,BmwM3,BmwM3335i,comparision,dinan,dinan stage 3 bmw 335i,DinanStage3Bmw335i,m3,shoot out,ShootOut,stage 3,Stage3 ]

Exclusive interview: Steve Saleen and SMS Limited

We're big fans of Steve Saleen. He's created some pretty incredible Mustangs over the last 25 years, and any guy that successfully builds his own supercar gets major props in our book. Plus, we could listen to his racing stories for hours. After he announced his retirement from Saleen, Inc last year, we were somewhat disappointed when he took the position of CEO at ZX Automobile, a Chinese car company hoping to import trucks into the United States. It's not that we think Steve wasn't up to the task; we were just hoping he would stick to sports cars.

We shouldn't have worried, because Steve announced the formation of his new company, SMS Limited, in March of this year with plans to develop vehicles based on the new breed of American muscle cars (Mustang, Challenger and Camaro) as well as race in the American Le Mans Series. We wanted to get more info on Steve's plans with the company, and what better way than to hear it from the man himself. We were able to get a one-on-one with Steve, and got some inside info on the new company and his plans to race an S7R in the ALMS. Interested? Follow the jump for the interview.

Interview with Steve Saleen - SMS Limited Chairman and CEO
May 28, 2008

Autoblog: What does SMS stand for?

Steve Saleen: We used my initials (Stephen Mark Saleen) for the name of the company in keeping with the more personal expression, commitment to quality and exclusivity of the vehicles we will be designing and manufacturing.

Autoblog: What inspired you to form SMS?

Steve Saleen: In addition to my long-standing relationship with the Ford brand I wanted to expand into new markets with the Dodge and Chevrolet muscle cars that are coming out now. For contractual reasons this was not going to happen at Saleen, Inc. due to their heritage with Ford products and the Ford dealer network.

Autoblog: You've brought Bill Tally and Phil Frank with you. How important is it to have them working alongside you? Is anyone else involved in SMS that you have worked with before?

Steve Saleen: Those who know me are aware that building a great team is essential for any venture to be successful, be it on the racetrack or in business. You need to have the right mixture of long-standing and experienced acquaintances and "new blood" bringing in new ideas. Billy and Phil have been integral to all the vehicle and aftermarket programs my team and I have developed in the last 15 years, having them with me to build up this new team is essential when it comes to talent, drive and getting the most from the team and the vehicles.

Along with a number of engineers we had worked with in the past I am also leaning on my children Clint, Sean and Molly to help with the business development and management as we set things for the future.

Autoblog: Is there anything that you are doing differently with SMS than you have with your previous
companies?

Steve Saleen: Well, first off we are doing everything right from the start; we are not held back by any antiquated systems or processes. We have a completely fresh start but with a deep understanding of the factors that stood in our way in the past. We are establishing the proper protocols, processes and procedures for everything so there is no ambiguity or confusion as we go forward in our business and product development.

Secondly we now have an incredible array of high-end prototype, fabrication, machining, development, testing and manufacturing tools such as; 13 variations of CNCs, an SLS Sinter station, engine and chassis dynameters, etc that will allow us to do a whole range of tasks internally, making us a great deal more independent from third parties. Having this new technology to our disposal will also allow us to create and market new technologies that will set us apart in the marketplace.

Autoblog: Your vehicles have always had a very signature look. Will your new cars have any specific
design attributes?

Steve Saleen: Our aesthetics will push the envelope of functional aesthetic innovation, you will be seeing an example of this with a new concept we are rolling out very shortly. Stay tuned.

Autoblog: You've been very involved in nearly every aspect of your companies. Will you continue to do
this with SMS?

Steve Saleen: Yes, as ever I am heavily involved in all aspects of the business and will be so as we move forward. However, as I mentioned earlier, we are setting up the processes and procedures that will ensure that the business is built on the best possible foundation for success. And – you might have heard I have actually taken up racing again...

Autoblog: Will you be working with the Ford Mustang again? Any other vehicles?

Steve Saleen: When the next generation Mustang arrives you can be sure to see our newly developed SMS technology at the top of the food chain. As you know we just announced the SMS 570 Challengers and – as I said – will make another important announcement in the near future.

Autoblog: Do you have any plans to build a completely unique vehicle like you did with the S7?

Steve Saleen: All I can say at this time is that it is in our DNA to develop and build supercars.

Autoblog: Can you give us any details about your future plans for racing in the ALMS?

Steve Saleen: Currently we are testing the two 2007 ELMS Championship Winning S7R's here in the States with the goal of running a number of races towards the end of the season. If you can believe this will be my first opportunity to drive an S7R competitively! I had a number of opportunities to fill in for privateer team drivers but never took the chance. The S7 is perfectly suited for my driving style. And, not that I am boasting, but in testing I've beat Stephan Ortelli's lap times around Willow Springs while he was there testing the same car... (smiles)
Autoblog: What do you think of the Saleen S5S Raptor concept?

Steve Saleen: I had no involvement in the Raptor concept other than the original groundwork that Billy, Phil and I had laid out in 2005 for developing the S5. As a clay study it has its merits, now we need to wait and see what they are going to make of it.

Autoblog: Thanks for your time, Steve.

[Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket) ]
[Tag: ALMS,Saleen,Saleen S7,Saleen S7R,SaleenS7,SaleenS7r,SMS Dodge Challenger,SMS Limited,SmsDodgeChallenger,SmsLimited,Steve Saleen,SteveSaleen ]

V2V communication as a safety feature

Vauxhall's latest safety idea turns the highways and byways into a life-sized feedback loop by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other. We're not talking about the type of communication we humans do in our cars – behavior like pointing out the state bird – think more like WiFi. There are some real safety gains to be had with the system, inventively named Vehicle-to-Vehicle. Using GPS-based technology, along with some type of wireless communication facility, V2V can warn you of potential danger by alerting you to the presence of cars in your blind spots or around a bend, and it can also use data such as speed, direction, and acceleration to determine whether or not you're gonna smack that Scimitar in front of you. Driver alerts can be visual, auditory, or via a Magic Fingers® seat cushion. If you ignore your playfully jiggly seat cushion, the car can even apply its own brakes. This sounds kind of like the funk-tastic Carhood, but with real development dollars behind it.

[Via: Vauxhall ]
[Tag: communication,electronics,europe,gps,safety,vauxhall ]

Audi R8 boasts LEDs aplenty

Audi has already manged to work some LEDs into a few of its cars (concepts and otherwise), but the automaker has gone all out with its latest Audi R8, which employs LEDs for seemingly every lighting function. That includes the 24-LED running lamps the R8 had before, along with some brand LED high and low beam headlights, and LED turn signals, which add up to some 54 LEDs in all. Of course, given the prices that single LED bulbs demand these days, it should come as no surprise that this is quite the pricey option, with it adding a full €3,590 (or about $5,560) to the R8's already lofty sticker price.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: audi,audi r8,AudiR8,led,led headlights,led light,LedHeadlights,LedLight ]